Exploring India’s Fisheries Resources: A Key Sector for Economic Growth

India’s fisheries sector is one of the most dynamic segments of the country’s agricultural economy. Contributing around 8% of global fish production, India ranks as the third-largest fish producing nation and the second-largest aquaculture producer in the world. With a coastline stretching over 8,100 km, an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) spanning 2.02 million sq. km, and a dense network of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs spread across every region, the country’s fisheries resources are both vast and varied. The sector supports over 30 million livelihoods, serves as a major source of affordable protein, and earns significant foreign exchange through seafood exports. In this post, we break down India’s fisheries resources – marine and inland – and explore why this sector is so critical for economic growth.

Why fisheries matter to India’s economy 🔗

Fisheries is not just about catching fish. It is a full-fledged economic engine that drives employment, food security, and export revenue across coastal and rural India. The sector’s Gross Value Added (GVA) reached ₹3,68,124 crore in 2023-24, up from ₹2,12,087 crore in 2018-19, with its share in agriculture rising to 7.55%. India’s total fish production has grown by over 100% in the last decade – from about 96 lakh tonnes in 2013-14 to approximately 195 lakh tonnes in 2024-25. This growth has been fuelled by expansion in both marine capture fisheries and inland aquaculture, supported by targeted government schemes and infrastructure development.

The fisheries sector also plays a crucial role in nutritional security. Fish is one of the most affordable sources of animal protein, and for millions of households in coastal states and the northeastern region, it is a dietary staple. Beyond domestic consumption, seafood exports have become a significant contributor to India’s foreign exchange earnings, with the country exporting marine products worth approximately ₹62,408 crore (around US$ 7.45 billion) in FY 2024-25.

Marine fisheries resources of India 🔗

Marine fisheries form the backbone of India’s capture fisheries sector. The country’s marine resources include a coastline of about 11,098 km, an EEZ of 2 million sq. km, and a continental shelf area of 0.53 million sq. km. These waters are rich in a variety of commercially important species, including shrimp, sardines, mackerels, tunas, Bombay duck, croakers, and cephalopods like squid and cuttlefish.

The west coast 🔗

India’s western coastline runs along Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, and Kerala. This coast is washed by the Arabian Sea and is known for its highly productive fishing grounds. Kerala has historically been one of India’s top marine fish-producing states, and Gujarat’s extensive coastline supports a large fleet of mechanised fishing vessels. The west coast is particularly rich in pelagic species such as oil sardines and mackerels, along with high-value shrimp and cephalopods that contribute significantly to both domestic consumption and export revenue.

The east coast 🔗

The eastern coastline extends along West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, bordered by the Bay of Bengal. Andhra Pradesh stands out as the largest fish-producing state in the country, driven significantly by its robust aquaculture sector – especially shrimp farming. Tamil Nadu and Odisha also have well-established fishing communities and landing centres. The Bay of Bengal supports fisheries for species like hilsa, ribbon fish, and various demersal (bottom-dwelling) species.

Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands 🔗

India’s island territories – the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal and the Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea – hold substantial untapped marine potential. The Indian government’s Budget 2025-26 announced a dedicated framework for sustainable harnessing of fisheries from the EEZ and high seas, with a special focus on these island regions. The waters around these islands are rich in high-value tuna and tuna-like species, which remain largely underexploited compared to the coastal fisheries along the mainland.

Overall, India’s marine capture fisheries reached about 44.95 lakh tonnes in 2023-24. However, with the estimated annual potential of the EEZ placed at around 5.31 million metric tonnes, there remains significant scope for sustainable expansion, particularly in deep-sea and offshore fishing operations.

Inland fisheries resources of India 🔗

While marine fisheries often grab headlines, inland fisheries have quietly become the dominant contributor to India’s total fish production. Inland fisheries and aquaculture contributed over 75% of India’s fish output in 2024-25, producing about 147.37 lakh tonnes – a remarkable 140% increase from 2013-14 levels. This growth has been driven by the expansion of pond aquaculture, cage culture in reservoirs, and the adoption of technologies like Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS) and Biofloc units.

According to the FAO, India’s inland water resources cover over 5.8% of the country’s area and harbour a rich fish fauna of over 1,000 species. These resources can be broadly categorised into rivers and canals, reservoirs, ponds and tanks, and floodplain wetlands.

Rivers and canals 🔗

India has an extensive river system spanning approximately 1,95,210 km of rivers and canals. The major river systems – including the Ganga, Brahmaputra, Godavari, Krishna, Mahanadi, Narmada, and Cauvery – serve as important fishery resources. The Ganga river system alone has a combined length of about 12,500 km, supporting fisheries across multiple states from Uttarakhand to West Bengal. These river systems provide natural habitats for both capture fisheries and breeding grounds for many commercially important freshwater fish species like rohu, catla, and mrigal.

Reservoirs 🔗

India has thousands of reservoirs, originally constructed for irrigation and hydropower but now increasingly used for fisheries. These man-made water bodies cover approximately 3.54 million hectares and are classified as large (above 5,000 hectares), medium (1,000-5,000 hectares), and small (below 1,000 hectares). States like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh hold significant reservoir areas. While fish yields from large and medium reservoirs have historically remained modest (around 11-15 kg/ha), scientific management of smaller reservoirs has shown much higher productivity, making them important targets for fisheries development.

Ponds and tanks 🔗

Ponds and tanks are the primary resource base for freshwater aquaculture in India, covering about 2.36 million hectares. These water bodies are concentrated in states like Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, and Odisha. Freshwater aquaculture – particularly the polyculture of Indian Major Carps (rohu, catla, mrigal) – has been the single biggest driver of the inland fisheries boom. With proper management, average aquaculture productivity in India has improved to about 4.7 tonnes per hectare, up from about 3 tonnes per hectare before the launch of the PMMSY scheme.

Floodplain wetlands 🔗

Floodplain wetlands – locally known as beels, baors, haors, and chaurs – are seasonal water bodies that receive floodwater from rivers during the monsoon. Wetlands associated with the Ganga and Brahmaputra river basins cover around 3.40 lakh hectares and are vital fishery resources for states like Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, and the northeastern states. These wetlands serve as natural breeding and nursery grounds for many fish species and support subsistence-level fishing communities in eastern India. Additionally, India has about 1.2 million hectares of floodplain lakes and derelict water bodies that hold further potential for fisheries development.

Fisheries as a livelihood engine 🔗

One of the most important aspects of India’s fisheries sector is its role in livelihood generation, especially in coastal and rural areas. The sector sustains over 30 million livelihoods, including fishers, fish farmers, processors, traders, and workers in allied activities like boat building, net making, and transportation. Coastal states and Union Territories – which include around 3,477 fishing villages – contribute about 72% of the country’s total fish production and 76% of total seafood exports.

For many communities, particularly the economically weaker sections, fishing is not just an occupation but a way of life. Inland fisheries support livelihoods in rural areas far from the coast, where small-scale fishing in rivers, ponds, and wetlands provides both food and income. In states like Bihar, Assam, and West Bengal, fish farming has emerged as a viable livelihood option that transforms underutilised land into income-generating assets.

Fisheries and foreign exchange earnings 🔗

India’s seafood exports are a major foreign exchange earner. In FY 2025-26, India’s marine product exports grew by 16% in value during April-October compared to the same period the previous year, with export earnings rising from US$ 4.19 billion to US$ 4.87 billion. The key export products include frozen shrimp (especially vannamei shrimp), frozen fish, cuttlefish, squid, and dried items.

The United States remains India’s largest seafood export market, followed by China, the European Union, Vietnam, and Southeast Asian countries. India and the UK have recently signed a trade agreement granting duty-free access for most seafood products, which is expected to further boost exports. The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), established in 1972, plays a central role in promoting India’s seafood in international markets, conducting quality checks, and supporting exporters with market intelligence.

For a country seeking to strengthen its external trade balance, the fisheries sector offers some of the best returns on investment. The relatively low capital requirement for pond aquaculture, the short production cycle of species like shrimp, and the high international demand for Indian seafood all make this a high-return sector.

Government initiatives driving growth 🔗

The rapid growth in India’s fisheries sector has not happened by accident. It has been actively supported by several government programmes aimed at modernising infrastructure, boosting production, and improving the welfare of fishing communities.

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) 🔗

Launched in 2020 with a total investment of ₹20,050 crore, PMMSY is the flagship scheme for developing India’s fisheries sector. It covers everything from aquaculture expansion and deep-sea fishing vessel subsidies to cold chain infrastructure, fish kiosks, and transport facilities. Under PMMSY, over 52,000 reservoir cages, 22,000 RAS and Biofloc units, and 1,525 sea cages have been set up across the country. The scheme has been credited with a 38% increase in fish production since its launch.

Blue Revolution 🔗

Before PMMSY, the Blue Revolution scheme (launched in 2015-16) was the first consolidated effort to make the fisheries sector economically viable. It focused on increasing fisheries production and productivity from both inland and marine resources under a single umbrella programme. PMMSY essentially built upon and expanded the foundation laid by Blue Revolution.

Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) 🔗

Established in 2018-19 with a total fund size of ₹7,522 crore, FIDF provides concessional finance to state governments, cooperatives, and private entrepreneurs for developing fisheries infrastructure – from fishing harbours and cold storage to processing plants and modern fishing vessels.

Challenges facing India’s fisheries 🔗

Despite impressive growth, the sector faces several challenges that could limit its long-term sustainability if not addressed effectively.

Overfishing and resource depletion is a concern in certain coastal zones, particularly in the inshore waters where fishing intensity is high. Many traditional fishing grounds are under pressure from mechanised trawling and the use of unsustainable gear.

Pollution and habitat degradation threaten both marine and inland fisheries. Inland water bodies face severe challenges from industrial effluents, sewage, and agricultural runoff, while encroachment and land-use changes have reduced the extent of natural wetlands by an estimated 35%.

Climate change is altering ocean temperatures, shifting fish migration patterns, and disrupting monsoon cycles that freshwater fisheries depend on. Extreme weather events – droughts, floods, and cyclones – can devastate fishing infrastructure and communities in a single season.

Weak data collection remains a persistent issue, particularly for inland fisheries. Without reliable catch statistics, it is difficult to plan effective management and conservation strategies. The FAO has noted that inland fish production in India appears to be significantly under-reported in many states.

Lack of tenure rights for small-scale fishing communities is another structural issue. Many inland fishers do not have formal rights over the water bodies they depend on, leaving them vulnerable to displacement by industrial and infrastructure projects.

The road ahead 🔗

India’s fisheries sector stands at an exciting juncture. The government’s focus on deep-sea fishing, mariculture (marine aquaculture), and sustainable practices signals a clear intent to harness the untapped potential of the EEZ and high seas. The expansion of aquaculture technologies – from cage culture and RAS to seaweed farming – is opening up new production avenues. Meanwhile, strengthening cold chain infrastructure and value addition can reduce post-harvest losses and improve the price realisation for fishers and farmers.

With a young and growing population, rising protein demand, and abundant aquatic resources, India has all the ingredients to become the world’s leading fisheries nation. The key lies in balancing production growth with ecological sustainability, ensuring that the communities who depend on this resource are not left behind.

What do you think? Can India achieve sustainable growth in fisheries without depleting its marine and inland resources? How can technology and community-based management work together to protect the livelihoods of small-scale fishers while boosting national fish production?

References

1. https://www.ibef.org/exports/marine-products-industry-india
2. https://ddnews.gov.in/en/india-records-38-growth-in-fish-production-since-pmmsy-launch/
3. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2192114&reg=3&lang=2
4. https://dof.gov.in/marine-fisheries
5. https://www.drishtiias.com/state-pcs-current-affairs/inland-fisheries-aquaculture-meet-2025
6. https://www.fao.org/inland-fisheries/resources/detail/en/c/1696688/
7. https://www.fao.org/4/w7560e/W7560E03.htm
8. https://www.indiawaterportal.org/agriculture/livelihoods/small-scale-inland-open-water-fisheries-india
9. https://vajiramandravi.com/current-affairs/indias-seafood-exports-growth/
10. https://www.pib.gov.in/FactsheetDetails.aspx?Id=149135&reg=3&lang=2
11. https://evs.institute/sustainable-natural-resource-management/india-inland-aquatic-resources-types-importance-challenges/